Tane Mexico Orfebres Sterling Silver Grape and Vine Cross Pendant
Jewelry (Cross Pendant) · Tane Mexico Orfebres, established in 1944 in Mexico City. Tane is Latin America's premier luxury silversmith, often referred to as the 'Tiffany of Mexico', renowned for high-end exhibition pieces and museum-quality objects.
Pattern: Grape and Vine (Uva y Vid) Collection. This is a signature botanical motif for Tane, capturing the rich agricultural heritage of the region. It is a heritage design still produced in limited quantities.
Type
Jewelry (Cross Pendant)
Maker
Tane Mexico Orfebres, established in 1944 in Mexico City. Tane is Latin America's premier luxury silversmith, often referred to as the 'Tiffany of Mexico', renowned for high-end exhibition pieces and museum-quality objects.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The piece is solid silver throughout, utilizing high-grade Mexican silver sourced from Taxco and central Mexican mines.
Dimensions
Estimated height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Due to the high-relief 'chunky' nature of Tane workmanship, this piece likely weighs significant for its size, approximately 25-45 grams of sterling silver.
Description
An exquisite example of Mexican silversmithing, this Tane cross is a sculptural masterpiece. Moving away from the typical flat cross form, it utilizes heavy clusters of grapes and entwined vines to create a symbol of life and abundance. Its heavy, tactile nature makes it more of a wearable sculpture than a simple piece of jewelry, representing the prestige of Mexico's most famous silver house.
Key Features
Heavy relief grape clusters, bark-textured cross arms, 'TANE' hallmark on the reverse of the attachment loop, and high-contrast oxidation.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The piece is solid silver throughout, utilizing high-grade Mexican silver sourced from Taxco and central Mexican mines.
Finish & Decoration
High-relief casting with heavy oxidation in recessed areas to provide depth. Features a biological realism style with miniature textured grape clusters, unfurling leaves, and a textured bark-like cross structure. Style is a mix of Mexican Baroque and mid-century naturalist.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The hallmark visible on the bail/attachment loop consists of 'TANE' in a rectangular cartouche, alongside the 'MEXICO' stamp and the '925' purity mark. Older pieces from Tane may also include the Eagle mark or the 'MT' (Mexico Tane) registered maker mark.
Construction Details
Lost-wax casting (cire perdue) technique used to achieve the organic, three-dimensional detail of the grapes and vines. Hand-finished with chasing tools to sharpen the leaf veins and textures after casting.
Functional Features
Includes a built-in bale or loop disguised as a vine segment for the passage of a chain or leather cord. The design is intended to be double-sided or at least significantly dimensional from all viewing angles.
Handle & Grip Details
Bale is integrated into the vine design; it is a rigid, soldered loop intended for a heavy-gauge sterling silver chain, suitable for the weight of the pendant.
Craftsmanship Details
The level of 'undercutting' in the casting—where grapes appear to sit behind one another—indicates a very high-quality mold and careful hand-finishing. There are no visible seam lines from the casting process, suggesting expert artisan cleanup.
Authentication Indicators
Hallmark alignment and font matching Tane’s 1970s-80s stamps; the specific thickness and 'weighty' look of the casting consistent with luxury Mexican production; hand-finishing marks on the vine texture.
Origin & Manufacturing
Mexico City, Mexico. Hand-finished in the Tane workshops which have historically employed the finest 'maestros' of the craft in the country.
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century to Modern. Tane hit its design zenith between 1950 and 1980, blending traditional Mexican silver craftsmanship with sophisticated international luxury tastes.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970-1990. The particular hallmark style and the degree of oxidation suggest a vintage piece rather than a contemporary new-stock item.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Second Golden Age' of Mexican silver, where the industry shifted from tourist-grade Taxco jewelry to world-class luxury design that competed with European houses like Christofle or Buccellati.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The silver shows appropriate light surface wear. The oxidation (darkening) in the crevices is intentional and should not be removed by aggressive dipping, as it provides the necessary contrast for the design.
Value Estimate
$350 - $650 USD depending on the exact weight and current market demand for vintage Tane collector pieces.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft horsehair brush and mild soapy water to remove dust from between grapes. Use a silver polishing cloth only on the 'high' spots of the grapes and leaves to maintain the dark contrast in the background.
Similar Pieces
Taxco grape clusters (often marked TM-90 or similar) are lighter and less detailed; Buccellati botanical jewelry (finer, more delicate textures); vintage William Spratling pieces (more stylized and less realistic).
Interesting Facts
Tane has provided gifts for world leaders and royalty, including the Mexican government's official gifts to visiting dignitaries. Their work is often featured in the Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City.